In the following video, I show you how to open the case (i.e. enclosure) of the Netgear WNR3500L[1] Wireless-N Gigabit Open Source Router.

Why would you want to open the case of the WNR3500L anyway? As you may have learned from watching my recent unboxing[2] video, the WNR3500L is an open source[3] router, which allows you to install third party firmware on it such as dd-wrt[4], TomatoUSB[5] and OpenWrt[6].

Sometimes, however, things can go wrong when you flash firmware onto a router (such as accidentally unplugging the power in the middle of the flashing process) and you end up with a bricked[7] router. If you’re lucky, you may be able to unbrick your WNR3500L router by resetting[8] it. In other cases, however, you may have to perform the full debricking[9] procedure, which involves connecting directly to the router via a serial port.

The problem, however, is that the WNR3500L has no serial port connector on the back of the unit where it would be easily accessible. Unfortunately, to get at the serial port connector, you’ll have to open up the case. Once inside, you will hopefully find a 6-pin SIP serial port connector. I say hopefully because apparently[10] some WNR3500L routers do not have have one. The only way to find out if you have one is to open up the case. If you’re lucky, like I was, you’ll find the connector beside JP1, as shown in the photo below. If you don’t find the connector, don’t worry, because you can still solder[10] one on yourself.